Before I go mental

Monday is that you again? Dang. I tell you to beat it every week and you just keep coming back. Like an STD. (Hm. Was that too far over the line?)

So today the ankle is still wonky. I have been R.I.C.E.-ing it like a mo-fo and am thinking about my work out this evening. No, I won't be running but I will get in some quality cross training. I guess the running gods are forcing me to do some strength training. (See that Tammy?)

I have a nice little pilates DVD that I may dust off. I also have a pretty decent gym at my apartment complex (AKA East Compton). I also have a pool for some laps and can play some apartment fetch with the Attack Terrier Lloyd. It seems that I am all set for some non-running work outs.

That's all well and good, but what about my mental training? What do you all do during injuries to stay mentally focused? How do you make it through the rest breaks without going postal?

My roomie, the Attack Terrier Lloyd, and my co-workers would appreciate your help before I eat their faces off. (Not really, but I would like some advice.)

R.I.C.E., R.I.C.E. baby!

Or The 22.5 miler that wasn't.

(Remember from Rocky and Bullwinkle, Fractured Fairy Tales? They always had two titles.)

The Redhead got in to town last night about 5:45 PM and we watched Coach EK's video from Chicago. It was so inspiring! I think we got a little weepy watching it. Don't judge. Then we watched some Golden Girls, deciding that I am Bea Arthur and she is Estelle Getty. And at o'light thirty we hit the hay. Always great to have her over, we act a fool and laugh at each other.

For the long run today, for starters, I had the P.C.'s (poopy cramps) for the entire run. I felt so bad asking P-Funk to stop at every restroom and porta-potty we came to. She's such a trooper though, so I am sure she didn't mind.

Then at about the 9 mile mark my ankle started hurting. It is on my outer left ankle down by my heel. This led the awesome BRA coaches to believe it's my Achilles.

I made it to the 13 1/2 mile turn around and it kept hurting. Normally, if something hurts on me during a run I usually just gut it out and it goes away. I know that things are going to be sore and achy after so many miles, no matter what you do. This was not the same. By mile 16 it really hurt. And at mile 17 3/4 I had to walk. Like a wounded soldier I told P-Funk to go on without me. (I am soooo dramatic.)

When I met up with the group at the water stop, the Redhead looked so concerned, bless her heart. She handed me an anti-inflammatory and warned about making it worse. The rest of the group concurred. Sadly, I had to throw in the towel at 18 miles.

For about 30 seconds I thought about crying. But then I realized that was silly. I would rest up and get right and be on my merry way. Speedy Jess mentioned how this could really be a lesson for others. Stop when it hurts. Don't make it worse. Use the R.I.C.E. method. And then hit your next long run when you are all healed.

She's right. This is a lesson that I think a lot of us endurance athletes (Holy crap! I'm an endurance athlete?!?!) need to learn. Hopefully, not the hard way.

Tonight I'll be resting. And tomorrow I won't hit my recovery run, perhaps I'll just do some laps in the pool. I am trying not to worry too much and hope this is just a blip on the training schedule. I hope you all had a great weekend!

Catch you on the flip side of R.I.C.E., R.I.C.E baby!

Lookout weekend!

I don't normally post my runs for the week because, well, I think it's boring to you all. However, it does really help hold one accountable for their actions. I am hoping for slightly more mileage next week as this week my Wednesday MLR (medium long run) sucked butt. FYI non-runners, sucked butt is not really a technical running term.

Sunday: 4 miles (recovery run), average pace 9:50
Monday: 8 (hills) miles, average pace 9:20
Tuesday: 5 mile (recovery run), average 9:50
Wednesday: 4 miles (MLR, supposed to do 9) average pace 9:40
Thursday: 8 x 800's, average pace 4:06 for each
Friday: REST
On deck for Saturday: 22.5 miles @ 10:10 pace

I really am not too sure what happened on Wednesday. Oh wait, yes I am. I was tired. I was cranky. I had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, just like Alexander. My heart wasn't in it, my mind definitely wasn't in it and I just wanted to go home and eat some worms. To make matters worse I thought I could carry my cell phone in my sports bra. I was expecting a call, you see. But apparently I am too sweaty to have electronic devises pushed up against me. I broke my phone with my sweat. Sexy.

Thursday's speed work cheered me up as per usual and I am totally looking forward to the 22.5 miler tomorrow. The Redhead is coming to run with me and the BRA and I am super stoked for it!

We have big plans tonight, well as big a plans as we can have considering our early run start tomorrow. Coach EK lent us his DVD of the Chicago Marathon he and some BRA folks ran one year and I can't wait to watch it with the Redhead to see her get EVEN more pumped (if that's possible).

Have a great weekend all. Catch ya on the flip side of 22.5 miles!

Thankful Thursday

Well hello there Thursday! You sneak up on me every week and I find myself happy to see you and ready to give thanks unto ye. Heh.

OK, so for today I am thankful for my morning drive to work and the station I listen to, Wild 94.1 (O and the Freak Show). You see, I work about 30-40 minutes from home base and drive against the flow of traffic. So while it's a long drive, it's quite pleasant because there is no traffic and I just cruise along.

I was lucky to find a station in Tampa that has some of the most hilarious DJ's I have ever heard. They aren't overly political or opinionated and they joke around a lot. The bonus is that everyday at 8 AM they have Extra's reporter Carlos Diaz on and they go over celebrity gossip.

You all know I love, love, love me some celeb news. (Those Gosselin's sure are taking up way too much of the celeb news air time. I really don't give a crap about them.)

Today, I learned a great word from the Freaks. Kentaco Hut. It's even in the Urban Dictionary! I had no idea. But you know what is, right? It's the fast food joint that has all 3 different, yet deliciously fatty, concepts. Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut = Kentaco Hut. There is actually a few in Tampa (we are a healthy lot). When one isn't training for a marathon (ahem) one could order:

1. 6 piece bucket o' fried chicken
2. A chalupa and a meximelt
3. a small cheese pizza

Just saying.

Have a great Thursday everyone!

They're always after me lucky charms

My good buddy Jess, a fellow BRA member and super quick runner, offered to help me think of some topics for this here little blog. She offered up the suggestion of discussing pre-race rituals and superstitions or lucky charms. No, not the cereal (delicious though it may be), but the question of running with a lucky charm or doing something superstitious before a race.

Thus far it looks like my pre-race ritual includes eating a South Beach High Protein Cereal Bar, taking an Imodium, and slathering on the sunscreen. Other than that I am not too exciting. The night before, I take a sleep aid and usually eat some pasta of some sort. Then I offer rum and cigars to Jobu. You know, just your run of the mill stuff.

Seriously though, I don't have any running superstitions. I certainly wash my socks after every run and don't really feel like the foot of a fluffy rodent will help me get a PR.

I know that a lot of pro athletes have odd little things they do before a big event (not that I am comparing myself to a pro mind you). For example Wade Boggs, MLB, was known as the "Chicken Man" because he would eat it before every game and he was obsessed with doing things at the same time every game day. Eh, that's not too weird. But what about Moses Alou of the New York Mets' superstition? It's just gross. Get this, he pees on his hands through out the season. Apparently it has more to do with keeping his hands soft then with superstition but really, pee? On your own hands? Get some Jergens dude.

As it turns out there was quite a bit of research to be found on this subject. I couldn't find anything on the elite runners and their superstitions though. So I guess I'll just have to hear about you all. What you got weirdos?

And please don't tell me you pee on your hands too.

Sappy Sapperson

Holy stinky running shoes Batman! Where the crap did all of you come from? How is it that there are over a hundred of you reading this fluff, er I mean my Nobel prize worthy journalism?

YIKES! The pressure is almost too great for me to go on!

Then where would all of you be? Not too worry my minions readers, I will continue to write thought provoking prose. Such as when those toes got into a fight (this) and when it was too hot to run (this). Deep stuff right?

For today's post I really just wanted to say thanks for all of the awesome comments, encouragement, and dialogue you all provide (not to mention all of your own awesome blogs!). I am getting a little choked up over here thinking about how amazing you all are. Your own blogs make me want to be a better writer and runner! Is this enough ass kissing?

As a little recap of my current running life I am only 61 days away from my third marathon. Incredible. For that other blog, I offer a glimpse into how my marathon life, so to speak, began. I warn you, it's a tear jerker. OK, not really but it does offer some insight into why I began this crazy journey and how I became this crazy running person. Click here to read all about it.

I love this running life and wouldn't change it for the world.

Thanks again.

Deep Thoughts

OK so moving on from Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood and back to running. (No Boyz in the Hood style drive-bys yet, I'll keep you all posted.)

I had a pretty good 18 miler today. P-Funk and I were under pace the whole run and I am pretty sure we hit some negative splits. Woot woot! It's crazy how 18 miles feels waaaay shorter than 20.

After the run the BRA had our usual Saturday morning breakfast and discussed a few various topics that I thought could use some insight here from my bloggy friends. (List time!)

1. Underwear. Do you wear them even if they are built into your shorts already? Do you cut them out and run with just your underwear? Or do you prefer to "run free?"

2. Stinky summer shoes. Are your shoes so stinky right now that when you get rid of them you might have to call Haz-Mat? Do you Febreeze those bad boys? Or do you just leave 'em in the garage?

3. Songs that play in your head. Ok, so I know some of you run with iPods. I don't, but the iPod in my head is always playing. For example, when running up a hill all I can hear is the theme from The Jefferson's. "Well, we're movin' on up...to the East side...." And sometimes when I am cruisn' right along I hear James Brown "I feel good! I knew that I would!" What is in your mental iPod?

Please feel free to comment on one or all three of these deep, thought provoking questions. Enquiring minds want to know.

Late this afternoon I headed to the home of some friends for the First Annual Lawn Olympics. We had four teams of about 8 players each and it was so much fun. In case any of you care, I am really good at fake sports and well, not-so-much at real sports. For example: beer pong - awesome, volleyball - meh, corn hole - amazing, horse shoes - terrible, flip cup - I own you, badminton - please don't hit me the shuttlecock, please don't hit me the shuttlecock. All in all it has been a great day. I am tired and ready for bed.

Hope you are all having a great weekend. Smell ya later!

There goes the neigborhood

Happy Friday peeps! Today's post is a bit largely off topic*, but who cares? I do what I want!

When I moved back to my home town my roommate and I chose to live in an apartment community that we thought was relatively nice (for an apartment community) and safe. We got all moved in and had a few months of quiet enjoyment. The neighbors surrounding us at this time consisted of an elderly couple below (we were loud to them), the family with 17 kids next door (they were loud to us), and some assortment of nice random people in the building across the parking lot we shared.

Then things started changing.

The 17 kid having family moved out and some young dudes moved in (still loud, but at least they are eye candy). The old folks also moved out and I have no idea who is in there now. I think the new people are hermits because I have never seen them. I am Gladys Kravitz don't you know? Also, the randoms across the way got replaced with what I am pretty sure are drug dealing pimps and prostitutes.

One morning while I was getting into my car a very odd looking woman came out from across the way. She could have been 30 or 80. It was hard to tell. Her hair was like a black rooted-blonde bird's nest. Her outfit was a cross between pajamas and stripper wear. She was sobbing Tammy Faye Bakker-style and chasing a man to his car. He ignored her and sped off in the Hummer that is/was always double parked. She kept repeating, "I just want someone to pay attention to me! I just want someone to pay attention to me!" I kid you not. Over and over and over. It was a train wreck.

Another time I saw the same dude walking down the street. In a very nice outfit. He didn't look like he was out for a fitness walk. It was odd. Sometimes I see him with other men or odd looking couples. All at various times of the day and night. At night I am usually peering out my window like the nosey neighbor that I am.

And yet another time my roommate mentioned that he had seen the same bird's nest hair 30/80-year-old woman screaming to the Hummer driving man, "Tell me you love me! You never say it! Say it!" This was also at about 7:30 in the morning.

I even saw that same woman invite a very obviously creeped out young hottie, from next door, over!

This is when my casually watching the neighborhood turned into a scene from The Burbs. I became completely obsessed with what was going on over there. Part of it was a concern for safety, I mean, there are lots of children in the neighborhood. And I don't need a live action pimps and hoes party going down 20 feet from my doorstep. Of course a big part of it was and is, just plain curiosity.

All of my Kravitz-ing and Tom Hanks-ing turned ugly yesterday when I got home a saw a syringe in the parking lot. Hell-to-the-no. Sure, someone could have diabetes or are giving themselves hormone injections. But somehow I doubt it. My roommate agrees.

I called the office at the complex and the leasing agent came out immediately.

Me: "Thanks for coming to get that. I am not sure if anyone has said anything to you all, but there is some weird shit going on across the way." Head nod toward suscpicious apartment.

Leasing Agent: "Oh, we have had calls and are trying to take care of the situation."

Me: "Oh thank God I thought I was the only one who noticed."

Needless to say it's really quite sad. I feel sorry for people with addictions. I know how difficult they are to overcome. I think these people need to get some help. On the one hand, I don't want to watch anyone self destruct or harm themselves or others.

On the other hand, get the hell out of my neighborhood!



*Have a great weekend and best of luck on your long runs! I've got an 18 miler on deck tomorrow.

Thankful Thursday

I was thinking about this post today while I was showering off the sweat from my speed work this morning. P-Funk and I met up early to get The Plan's scheduled 8 x 800's in. We kicked ass. (Like how I worked in my awesomeness?) Anyway, while I was thinking of what I was thankful for today all the usual suspects popped into my mind. I am thankful for my health, family, friends, yadda, yadda, yadda. But what else?

Surprisingly, guess who showed up at my mind's door screaming motivational messages?

Richard Simmons.

Yes, folks I am thankful for Richard Simmons. I can remember watching my mom work out to his record, Reach. That's right youngins it was a work-out vinyl record. How crazy is that? It was a record that came with an insert. It showed pictures of him demonstrating the exercises. This was 1983 so I was very small but something about Richard's voice and messages always stuck with me.

I can also remember Sweatin' to the Oldies with my mom in our living room. Well, she was sweating and I was just bouncing around her. As I got older I did some of the video tapes myself. I learned a lot of oldies that way.

The best thing about Richard is that he reaches out to the every-person, not just the fitness freaks. His videos always have normal looking people sweatin' right along with him. He's so inviting and fun. And he knows what he is talking about. I know he's super campy and can be a bit much, but that is why I love him. He is also a big supporter of getting kids physically fit and not just through sports. Let's face it, all of us are not natural born athletes. (Please don't throw me the ball. Please don't throw me the ball.)

This post is meant to be funny but I really do enjoy Richard. I think we could all learn a thing or two from him, even if it is only how amazing Swarovski crystal look on tank tops.

What are you thankful for today?

BRA's Top Ten Reasons Phidippides Died

Tuesday already? Aack! I had a super busy weekend and had a conference to attend yesterday in Orlando. I am back in the office today and will be intermittently reading all of your fabulous blogs.

Fortunately, I made it back yesterday in time for some good 'ol Gangster Hills. The Gangster Hills were about as gangster as Boris & Natasha yesterday and I gave them what for! PFunk and I completed 8 without a whole lot of trouble. Sure I was tired and sure it was about 10 degrees cooler than last week, but I am still pretty proud of myself. (B.o.B.: 1, Gangster Hills: 0)

As I was running I was trying to decide what to write for today's post. I think that I must have been psychically connected to some members of the BRA* because they totally wrote a post for me! Yes, you can call me Miss Cleo.

What's even more exciting is that it's a list. You all know how I love a list. So without further ado, I present:

The BRA's Top 10 Reasons Phidippides Died

10. Did not take any Gu's, G2, Gatorade, Ecaps, or Gels

9. No body glide.

8. Sandals did not provide arch support.

7. Ate raw meat before his run instead of pasta.

6. Did not have a Coach, therefore could not follow The Plan.

5. Garmin sundial did not work on a cloudy day.

4. Ran too hard trying to get a BQ (Babylonia Qualifier in those days).

3. His pace card was a heavy, stone tablet.

2. Ran in battle armor instead of Under Armor.

1. Headlamp was a torch - kept lighting his hair on fire.


Feel free to add your own in the comments. Have a great day peeps.

* Special thanks to Coach EK, Navy Steve, Coach Tom, and PFunk.

20 miler report

Wrap your mind around this peeps! The Redhead and I are currently hangin' in Otown. And the Brunette is here too. It's 3 bloggers in one location. Crazy right? Also the Brunette's dog Ellie is here and I just adore her. (Don't tell the attack terrier Lloyd. He gets jealous.) The three of us just got back from the pool where, apparently, the Hot Guy Bus made a stop. Drool.

This weekend after my 20 miler I came to Otown to see some friends and attend a work conference. Many birds + one stone = good times.

As for my 20 miler yesterday, it went amazingly well. Thanks so much for all of the encouragement! It was the best long run yet. I planned out my week so that yesterday when I woke up at 3 AM (can you say nutters?) I had enough rest and fuel to get through it.

We started our run at 5 AM instead of 5:30 AM to beat the heat a bit more. It really made a big difference. I was nervous because my 18 miler sucked such major (pardon my French) ass. But at about 5 miles I knew it was going to be a good run.

I made one change to my fueling in that I stopped drinking G2. It upsets my stomach. I have no idea why this is, but I just can't seem to stomach it. Ha ha. So instead, for my 20 miler I decided to test out some Ecaps. They worked like a charm. I only took two so I will probably need more during my marathon but it's great to know I can take them with me during the race.

I am very surprised at how fine my legs feel today. I am not as sore as I usually am after long runs. This means I am going to be super OCD about repeating what I did last week and Friday night in particular.

The only leg issue I have is so completely random. Ant bites. I spent the night at one of my other Otown friend's house on Saturday night and during the night I had an itch on my shin. It felt like a pimple. Ew right? But I was so tired that I scratched my shin and went back to sleep. When I woke up this morning I thought it was a dream. I then looked down at my legs and saw 6 ant bites! Ew again, right? I have no recollection of being bit. Coach EK said it must have been because I was so giddy about that 20 miler. Riiiight.

I hope you all are having as lovely a weekend as I am. The Redhead just handed me some Nuun to try out and later we are going to have a pillow fight in our underwear! (Just kidding pervs.)

The Mayor of Bloggy Land

TGIF mother beeches!

This post is going to be super scatter brained today because there is just a lot of bloggy stuff going on in Bloggy Land. I have nominated, seconded that nomination, and appointed myself Bloggy Land Mayor and have thusly given myself a key to the city. Abuse of power? Check.

As the Mayor of Bloggy Land it's my duty to point out blogs of interest and hilarity. First up is my girl, the Redhead's, post at our Creative Loafing blog. Ch-ch-check it out here. It's about sex and running. WAIT! Don't go yet, I've got more to tell you. Sheesh, ya sickos.

In other Redhead news, she's having her first may-jah giveway. Bloggy Land Mayor commands that you go get your free stuff on here.

Mayor of Bloggy Land (all people of great power refer to themselves in the third person don't you know) also wants you to go to see what Jamoosh has to say about running a marathon here. It's hilarious and so dead on. Dead as in Phidippides dead. Oy, that was terrible, sorry.

And last but not least, Crabby McSlacker over at Cranky Fitness is doing some cool giveaways and what not here. She even addresses the article about exercise not making you thin. Think about that for a minute.

The Mayor of Bloggy Land is exhausted and now will take off her mayoral cap and return to being a lowly townie. She will also (quickly) recap her current running stats. This is, after all, a running blog. And she'll stop talking in the third person.

I am having a much, much better week than I did last week. I have been a going-to-bed-early-eat-properly-pace-yourself-during-your-runs-non-whining-non-trouble-stirring-up-good-running-angel. Promise.

I've got my first 20 miler of The Plan on deck tomorrow. I think I am ready for it. Hope you all have a wonderful, delicious weekend. Enjoy those long runs peeps.

B.o.B. and Mayor of Bloggy Land, out.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for my headlamp.

I freely admit that I wear a headlamp. It's true. But it's a necessary evil on my Saturday morning long runs that start at 5:30 AM. It's also necessary during the winter months when it gets dark earlier. When I first joined the BRA they told me I needed one. I thought to myself "Really? It's very dorky looking." But after my first scary, dark, murderers-must-be-in-the-woods-run I found myself thinking it was the best idea I'd ever heard. Fashion be damned.

Both the Chic Runner and the Redhead think it's hilarious. If there was a runner's cafeteria I am pretty sure I would be sitting with my square, weird-pepperoni pizza and chocolate milk all alone. It would be like a scene straight out of Mean Girls. The cool kids are rockin' their new Asic-Mizuno-Brooks hybrids and I'm with the math-letes.

Actually, when I first got the headlamp all I could think was "It's the Miner 49er!" from Scooby Doo. After googling around, I found the youtube clip with said Miner 49er and dude's not even wearing a headlamp. What the crap kind of miner is he anyway?

What are you thankful for today?

Show me your heart

I was tagged by the lovely fashionista Hanako66 at Through The Looking Glass to "Show Me Your Heart."

The tag reads: "with as much creativity as you can muster, show your heart in: a picture, poem, a song (or piece of music), a phrase (or quote), an item of clothing, a place, and (just for fun) a Disney princess.

Here goes, I've tried to keep it short.

The Picture. These women are my heart. My sister, my mom, my step mom and me. We've gotten very close since my dad passed and this is our new version of family.

The Poem. Annabel Lee by Edgar Allen Poe. What can I say? I am bit goth at heart. (FUN FACT: The Baltimore Ravens are named that because Poe lived and died there. Thanks Ace of Cakes!)

The Song. Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. My sister and I both chose this song as the song we would dance with our dad to at our weddings. We actually argued over who got to use it. My dad, in his King Soloman way said, "I guess it depends on who gets married first." Cracks me up every time I think about it.

The Quote. From Monday's post.

The Article of Clothing. The shirt I had made for the Father's Day race that my dad drew in the 80's.

The Place. The Ponte Vecchio in Florence Italy. Best. City. Ever. Especially with your best buds.

The Disney Princess. Ok. So this was tough for me. I actually had to google Disney Princesses to view my selection. Honestly, I would have chosen Alice (from the Wonderland) or even Madam Mim from the Sword in the Stone over one of the princesses but since these are the rules I chose Belle (from Beauty and the Beast). She's a bit odd (she reads! gasp!) and she does a lot of the saving.

Quite frankly I could do an entire post on the Disney princesses. I love them for the joy they bring little girls, but waiting for Prince Charming? Come on! As my buddy E, the strawberry girl, would say: He's basically a non-character.

Apparently the ghosts of feminists past are haunting my doors today.

Alrighty then. I tag the following (ignore it, do it, don't do it, pass it on, whatever floats your boats)*:

D10 from Just Running for Fun

Marlene from Mission to a(nother) Marathon

Christy from It Just Looks Like Slow Motion

Tara from Colorado Runner

and just for giggles with the princess thing...

The Count of Monte Christo from Paranoid and Running

*If you just feel like doing this then I tag you too!

Cat ladies

Back to our regularly scheduled comic relief.

The Redhead and I sometimes communicate via IM. Every now and again (ok, like everyday) we pop up on each other's screens and discuss various random running nerdness. The other day she popped up and this exchange ensued:

Redhead: Samuelson to run NYC Marathon 25 years after LA

Redhead: Will this be us when we're 50?

B.o.B.: Perhaps. God, I hope so!

Redhead: We'll be tough old bats by then.*

B.o.B.: True. Hopefully we aren't living together with 60 cats!

Redhead: Don't get your hopes up, this could def be a reality. LOL!

B.o.B.: Yes, well then I'll start picking out names. Fluffy, Kitty Kitty, Smokey, Meow-zers, George....

Oddly enough, last night at the hills I brought up how I would probably be a crotchety old cat lady. And (not really) oddly enough, a few others said they could see it. I mean, I do like cats, even though I don't have one right now (the attack terrier Lloyd won't stand for sharing my love). And I am slightly (ahem) eccentric.

As far as the crotchety is concerned, I would think all the running would keep one in a good mood. But then again, all those litter boxes could make one very grumpy. Also do crotchety old cat ladies like to run? I've never seen anyone jogging with their cat. I suppose I could find a few who were sprightly and name them Jamoosh and Nitmos.

Just some food for thought.

Here kitty kitty....

The Simpsons Crazy Cat Lady

*Before anyone gets offended we definitely do not think 50 is old. It was merely a reference to the woman mentioned in the article, who could kick our asses at a race.

UPDATE: I just came across two of the most hilarious blog posts EVER. Please read here and here for even more laughs. I warn you not to drink anything while reading, lest it come out your nose.

Unstoppable us

"You've done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into a positive, effective, unstoppable determination." - Ralph Marston

Last week was a challenging week. My running life, work life, and personal life all kind of hit some bumps. They were little bumps, but bumps nonetheless.

During my recovery run yesterday as I waited for those glorious endorphins to kick in I thought about what I could do this week to stay positive and move forward. And you know what? This blog kept coming to mind. I thought about all of the great people I have connected with through this blog. I thought about all of the kind, reassuring words I have received and realized that through this blog I can work on staying positive. I can do this by reading about everyone else's struggles and triumphs and learning from them. I can also do it by posting my own wins and losses. Everyone has ups and downs, it's how you move forward from each that counts. One must have humility during successes and faith during failures.

I came across the quote above and thought it would be a great way to start the week. Positivity is so important in life (it helps during the long runs too!).

So this week, I invite you all to come with me. Come be positive. Come be healthy. Come be effective. Come be unstoppable.

Have a great week everyone.

The Rookie

As I sit here drinking my coffee still feeling sleepy, I reflect on my week. My legs are sore, I am tired, my apartment is messier than I'd like, and the Attack Terrier Lloyd is looking at me with disdain.

Basically this week I forgot everything I have learned thus far. I am Benjamin Button, only in reverse. Instead of getting smarter this week I got dumber.

Monday went really well. I took the Gangster Hills down and got home at a reasonable hour, made dinner and got to bed. Tuesday is when things took a turn. I decided to go to the pub run. This day is normally a recovery run for me. But for some reason I took it upon myself to make it a tempo run. AFTER 7 hills. Dumb. I stayed up a little late and had sore legs on Wednesday morning.

Wednesday I woke up groggy and got ready for the night's impending hash run. Not knowing that winning or coming in near the front of a hash run is frowned upon (READ: totally nerdy) I sprinted through most of it. Dumb. I stayed up way later than I normally do and had sore legs on Thursday.

Thursday I had a big day planned at the ring of fire. I had 7 x 800's. This is a record for me. I got through six and didn't know if I could make it through the last one. Luckily, Coach EK helped get me through it. Gotta love friends. Thanks Coach EK! After the ring of fire, we had a going away dinner for a BRA member, Zen Runner T, who is going to Iraq for six months. I would not have missed this for the world as I love, love, love her. But again, a little bit later of an evening for me.* Dumb.

Friday I woke up with, you guessed it, sore legs. I tried to get to bed early but I just couldn't sleep. I didn't have any sleep aid left so I just tried to get some shut eye before the 18 miler. Dumb.

On Saturday I pretty much bonked before mile 10. I was struggling. Luckily, P-funk, Becs, and Jesus John were there to pull me along. We got back to our cars at 17.72 miles and I just couldn't make another quarter. I had nothing left. I know, the shame!

I discussed all of this with a very wise woman (V, you are my hero) after the run and she said something that made me feel so much better about being such a rookie this week.

She said that sometimes, you need weeks like this to remind you of all the reasons you do the things you do. Like going to bed early, eating properly, and keeping your recovery runs as recovery runs.

Life does get in the way sometimes and you can't always do what is needed for a successful long run. But after Saturdays 17.72 miler, I sure as hell am going to try.

*I normally go to bed when the street lights come on.

Hash Post

Shhhh! It's early (4:35 AM), and I don't want to wake my roommate and his lady friend. I am getting ready for my 18 miler this morning. I think I may have woken up the roosters. That can only explain why one of them flipped me the bird when I took a very sleepy attack terrier for his morning pee pee.

Anyway, the HASH post is up! It's over at my and the Redhead's other blog. I had a lot of fun and I think it's worth experiencing at least one time. Just be careful though, most hashing is R rated. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Now, where did I put that body glide?

RIP John Hughes

Some of you have realized by reading my posts that I love movies. I have been known to try and have a conversation by only using movie quotes. So obviously, I was extremely sad to learn of John Hughes' passing yesterday. He was only 59. So young.

In my opinion, he was one of the greatest filmmakers of our time. His movies are classics. A lot of them are filled with the teen angst that not many others could not convey. I grew up on these movies. I must have watched 16 Candles at least a 1,000 times by now. And The Breakfast Club, forget about it! That is one of the best teen movies ever made.

I just IMDB'd him to see his full list of movie credits. Man, there are ones that I didn't realize were his. Can you say, Mr. Mom and Vacation? And what about Uncle Buck, Planes, Trains, & Automobiles and The Great Outdoors? Seriously. The world lost an excellent story teller.

In honor of Mr. Hughes, I leave you with this quote from Ferris Bueller's Day Off:

"Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

I invite you all to give me your favorite John Hughes movie quote in the comments.

UPDATE: Eliza on the Run posted this link in the comments. HOLY SCHNIKES! It's amazing. Thanks E!

UPDATE #2: Ok, so this POST is AMAZING! (I should be done with updates now.)

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for Coach EK. After writing my BQ Madness post the other day, I was a bit worried that I would offend some of my running group or readers. As some of you know I like to be liked and I love my running group. That being said my post was just to get some feelings out and I want to make sure all my friends (bloggy, running, random homeless guy, etc.) know that they have my full support in any endeavor they set out to achieve. I sincerely, apologize to those whom I have offended. It was certainly not my intent, and the post was more about my frustration.

I am thankful that Coach EK sent me this email with a great perspective. I am also thankful that he is allowing me to post it here. Thanks Coach EK.

Beth,

Much to say, hope you have to the time to read it. :-)

Your blog from Tuesday (BQ Madness) really struck a chord with me. And that's a good thing. If a writer writes, and does NOT get a reaction, then it does not make someone think. And your blog did. So no issues with that.

My first thoughts were sarcastic, then non-understanding, then offense. Fortuatley, I did not put any of those down, as I would have regretted it (one of the reasons I am not on Facebook). What I did finally decide was to tell you a story (too long for the blog). Here goes:

My BQ story became much more than a quest to conquer a time on the clock. It became
the realization that I have wonderful, great friends around me. At the time we decided to try for this number, it was Coach T, Navy Steve, K and myself. No one else. V was around, but not the runner she is today. She was moral support.

Anyway, at the time, my life was turning into a mess. My girlfriend at the time dumped me, my job sucked, and my parents were sick. In other words life was tough. The only thing that was going well was my friends. And what friends they were. They helped me through with advice, wisdom, and help. They kept my spirits up, and kicked my butt when needed. Training became more than running - it became a refuge from life.

(We interrupt this story for your phone call).

(Now back to our regular programming).

As time went on, I discovered that I was not alone. And that I could overcome anything.

The race? Went off like clockwork. BQ in the bag with minutes to spare. But the BQ became secondary. Having these people, these friends around were more important than the race. I have never cried after a race. But when V was at the end with roses for each of us, I got teary-eyed. And the post-race picture is the only one I have in my home office. 4 competitors who got the job done. But, more importantly, people who to this day would do anything for each other.

So what did I discover? That BQ is more than a number, more than a goal, more than an
accomplishment. It's a journey of discovery, and be careful. You never know what you
might find.

Thanks for listening.
Coach EK

What are you thankful for today?

Goosfraba

Aack! The craptastic economy is out to get me. Without getting all into my real non-running life bidness, I'll just say that things are crazy with the job. Why wasn't I born rich instead of beautiful? (My mom and I always say this jokingly when we are stressed.)

Good thing I know about goosfraba.

I also wanted to pass along this article I saw on cnn.com. I hope it helps keep us all happy. However, if these tips don't work, a long run and any movie featuring Ryan Reynolds should do the trick.

All together now....gooooosfraaabaaaa......

Happy Hump Day!

Winner & call out

The big winner of our first giveaway is.... Kelly from a little messed up. Congrats Kelly! Get with the Redhead for your $25 gift card from amazon.com.

On to the call out.

Last week, Tammy @ My quest to tackle the Charleston Distance Run wrote a post about strength and weight training. She basically said she needed someone to help her stay on it and not just talk about doing it. I commented that I too need some help staying on top of that. And true to Tammy form of ass-kicking awesomeness she called me out.

Starting today I am going to attempt to get in some core work and strength training. I am not sure how I'll do because I feel tired after my runs, but I know I need the strength training. According to this article at coolrunning.com, you must obviously run to be a better runner, but functionally strength training can help you get faster. The article gives some specific examples of exercises which work for runners. The big incentive for me is all about speed.

In addition, the strength training helps with the main thing that we runners must avoid: INJURY. This article at runningplanet.com has some reasons why we should strength train. Of course they are obvious, but for those of us who need a kick in butt to get in the gym these are nice reminders.

Thanks for the call out Tammy. Who else out there is going to join us?

Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!

Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! *Booming monster truck voice*

Again it's been another whirl wind of a weekend. I must say that my 16 miler yesterday was my best long training run since I started the MCM Plan. The previous 16 miler was awful. So this time I decided to skip the G2 and just have water. It seemed to do the trick because I felt great at the end. In addition to skipping the G2 I took a sleep aid the night before. It seems that I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve the night before my long runs and can't sleep. I guess I am just really excited about the thought of running for 2+ hours! Or not. No idea. Anyway, the sleep aid (taken SUPER early) was also a good idea.

Today, I had the pleasure of meeting up with the lovely Kristin from BonBon Rose. I was a bit nervous because she and co-blogger Megan, write about fashion, home decor and all things pretty. Bon Bon Rose is also quite funny and relateable. They always feature affordable items and both Kristin and Megan have awesome senses of humor.

I wasn't quite sure what to wear. If I were meeting a running blogger I could probably show up in Nike shorts and a singlet and be good. However, after meeting Kristin today I realized I probably could have shown up that way too, since she's so down to earth. Of course she was dressed adorably, true to Bon Bon form, in a super cute maxi dress. We met for brunch and Kristin ordered some fruit and a bagel. I on the other hand ordered the right side of the menu! When I ordered my giant meal, that I think had the word feast in it, the server actually said, "Good for you!" It was delicious. Thanks Kristin for meeting up and picking a fabulous little brunch spot. Next time, bring the dude.

Have a great rest of the weekend all.